A Gamer Girl Blog!

Arts & Crafts

When’s the last time you did some crafting? For me, it had been a while. Since I started up with my planner and bullet journaling earlier this year, my need to create has increased. Carney and I decided to take a Hand Lettering workshop at Craft Jam earlier this week and it was really awesome!

Our teacher first reviewed some basic information about typography, and then explained how to draw out some of the more simple – yet extremely popular – hand lettering techniques, such as faux-calligraphy and drop shadows. The workshop provided all of the tools that we would need to complete our project, which was a greeting card. Technically the theme was supposed to be about self love, but as usual… I did my own thing. Check out my photos from the event!

First we practiced some techniques using pencil and paper, then transferred a design to tracing paper to work on shading and drop shadows.

Once the concept is finalized, we used light boards to trace the design onto cardstock, and then used markers to color in the finished product!

We had a blast at the event. Craft Jam is BYOB friendly as well, so we split a six pack and got our art groove on. I highly recommend the workshop. I highly recommend doing art projects for yourself, just for fun. It’s a very freeing experience. I plan to continue finding ways to create art, even if it’s silly or doesn’t look perfect. For me, it’s more about the experience and less about the outcome.

But hey if you totally love my artwork and would like to commission me to create a custom greeting card for you, hit me up! lol

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Lots of gamers go to conventions and see cosplayers and think, “I wish I could cosplay too, but I don’t even know where to get started.” MAGFest is coming up next week and while I was thinking about which cosplay I will be doing, I found some articles that can help you start brainstorming and preparing your first costume!

The first article I found is actually a video made by Kris Kittie for All That’s Cosplay titled, “Epic Cosplay Video: Cosplay Planning Made Easy.” Kris Kittie explains how budgeting your time is vital, and it’s important to know your capabilities and allow time for troubleshooting when creating your costume. Being organized will help you greatly, and always collect lots of reference images. She also stressed that waiting until the last minute usually causes cosplayers lots of anxiety, and costumes can sometimes start falling apart if built at the last minute!

The second article I found was from Observation Deck – an in-depth overview called “Cosplay 1.01 – A Beginner’s Introduction to Cosplay” written by Variable. This post was very comprehensive and discussed how anyone can be a cosplayer, as long as you know your limits and plan ahead. Compiling reference images from every angle is recommended, and keep a realistic schedule leading up to a convention. She discussed how going to cons can be a lot of fun and you can make a lot of friends, but be aware that there are still some issues with harassment… remember, cosplay is supposed to be fun for everyone!

If you’re looking to get started in cosplay and are choosing a character, keep these 3 important tips in mind:

Budget Your Time – Plan ahead, create a realistic schedule for yourself, and remember that ordering props from overseas can result in long shipping times, so start working on a cosplay months before the convention starts!

Use References – If you want to be proud of your work and have an authentic cosplay, it’s extremely important to have reference images from every angle (including front, back, side and prop details) to be sure you are making the best choices when buying materials.

Know Your Capabilities – Cosplay beginners probably shouldn’t choose a character with complicated body armor; stick to what you know you can make, and choose a character that you will feel comfortable portraying.

It’s pretty clear that being organized and planning ahead is the best strategy when starting to create a new cosplay character. But the most important thing to remember is that cosplay is for everyone and the main goal is to HAVE FUN!

Gluxbox is my codename and gamertag! I’m a cosplayer, gamer and blogger. This article was written mostly for fun, but also because I’m taking a course called Engagement & Nurture Marketing at Coursera.org and this was an assignment! If you want to contact me, you can find me @gluxbox on Twitter!

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Guess what everyone? I have cool stuff to share! Or cool stuff to make you jealous with, depending on your situation lol!

First of all, last week I received an early Christmas present from Nintendo. It was my Club Nintendo Platinum Status reward! The 2011 rewards for Club Nintendo were either a Desk Calendar (Gold Status – I got a very similar one last year) or a Super Mario 8-Bit Pin Set (Platinum Status). Obviously I had to go for the exclusive Pin Set, and it has finally arrived! Here are the photos I took – sorry for the glare in the pictures! It has a plastic casing around it and I didn’t want to take it off.

Platinum Pin Set

Here you can see most of the pins. They are really cute! I was going to pin them onto my Super Mario duffel bag but I think I’m just going to keep it in this display case thing. Why? Cuz look at the other side!

Super Mario!

The backside of each row of pins comes together to create a large 8-bit Super Mario graphic! It’s just too cool. Maybe it’ll be rare and collectible someday. I’m keeping it in the case lol!

So if that wasn’t enough to make you jealous (unless you already got this same Platinum reward hehe) I have a unique, one-of-a-kind goodie to gloat about! My awesome boyfriend JDubz MADE me a Pokémon out of perler beads!

Stunfisk!

Is that not the coolest? Stunfisk rules! And now I have a Stunfisk of my own! I’m working on making him a present too… I don’t know if it’s gonna be as cool as this though. I put in a request for a Team Plasma emblem made out of perler beads too. I’ll post all future projects for you to see! 🙂

Jealous yet? If you have a 3DS, I have some news that will make you feel better. (If you don’t have a 3DS, this might make you wish you had one!) The full list of 3DS Ambassador games has FINALLY been released, with rumors that the games will be made available to us this Friday, 12/16! Fingers crossed! Here’s the list of games that will be FREE for all Ambassadors:

F-Zero: Maximum Velocity

Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi’s Island

Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

Mario Kart: Super Circuit

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Metroid Fusion

Wario Land 4

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames

I’m pretty psyched for Yoshi’s Island, Minish Cap, Kirby, Mario Kart and Wario Land! But with all the amazing games that I have right now, like Harvest Moon and Mario Kart 7, when will I have time to play these?

By the way, here’s something that almost every Nintendo fan can enjoy. Club Nintendo recently had a big design overhaul. So log on to Club Nintendo today and see the new rewards and stuff! Enjoy!